Nepal floods | ‘Saved by God’: 41 pilgrims return to Mumbai after days of uncertainty

Forty-one pilgrims from Maharashtra and nearby states have returned to Mumbai after enduring days of uncertainty due to floods in Tibet and Nepal. These travelers had completed the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and were stranded when the devastating floods struck. Their safe return was met with gratitude from family members and relief from the constant worry. Subodh Sathe, whose wife Shama was among the rescued, expressed his relief, stating he had been in a state of constant worry and panic for two days.

Shama had been spared from the worst of the floods after a delay due to a ticket issue with another passenger allowed her to seek medical attention before the floods hit. Smita Pawar, a Revenue Commissioner, and her sister-in-law Yogini Patil also faced health issues due to hypoxia caused by falling oxygen levels. The pilgrims' journey began in Saga, Tibet, where they were stranded after completing the yatra earlier this week.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened to facilitate their travel to Kathmandu early Friday.

Among the returnees was 70-year-old Varsha Currey, who had been stranded in Tibet since August 16 when the floods occurred. Her nephew reported that she was safe, and she had not been affected by the floods. Despite the ordeal, she affirmed that her faith remained unshaken, believing it was a divine intervention. The group, led by Pramod Kene under the Jai Girnari Shivdutt Mandir Trust, included pilgrims from various regions of Maharashtra, Pune, and Karnataka.

The state authorities are still working to trace and rescue the remaining stranded individuals. Eight tourists from Borivali and Andheri remain missing and unreachable in Nepal, while a group of 60 people affiliated with Richa Tours and Travels is also untraceable. Authorities are actively seeking guidance from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to coordinate rescue efforts.

The Maharashtra government continues to collaborate with external agencies to ensure the safe transportation of the rescued pilgrims back to their respective districts.